ANGOLA, IN – Cameron Memorial Community Hospital is addressing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

In early November the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an emergency regulation requiring all healthcare personnel who work in facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Like all other organizations that treat Medicare and Medicaid patients, Cameron Memorial Community Hospital is subjected to this mandate.

Angie Logan, Cameron CEO said in a statement “As a Medicare and Medicaid-certified provider, Cameron is bound by these regulations and must follow the mandate if we are to continue to serve our community.”

In compliance with the emergency regulation, Cameron has requested that all employees submit proof that they have received the first dose of a primary series or a single dose COVID-19 vaccine by December 5th (2021). Proof of completion of the primary vaccination series must be completed no later than January 4th of the new year (2022).

If healthcare workers do not meet the deadlines set by CMS, they will be off the work schedule until they choose to become vaccinated or receive an approved exemption.

Officials at Cameron say all employees have been provided with resources and offered support to schedule a vaccination appointment or seek a religious or medical exemption.

There is a separate mandate from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that requires vaccination for employers with more than 100 employees. The OSHA mandate is separate from the CMS rule, which Cameron is obligated to follow.